New Zealand cane US despite losing Tuitavake

8.30pm

New Zealand's mood brightened at the Hong Kong sevens tournament today when a big win over the United States lifted spirits after the enforced absence of Anthony Tuitavake.

The world sevens circuit leaders brushed aside the United States 57-7 in pool play to follow their opening win of the tournament against Malaysia yesterday.

The 38-3 victory over Malaysia came at some cost though, with Tuitavake suffering a nasty shoulder injury which coach Gordon Tietjens expects will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of months.

Scans taken after the game revealed the North Harbour back had a portion of muscle ripped from his shoulder bone, meaning his Hong Kong foray was over.

"He will be out for a few months," Tietjens said.

Today's one-way result over the United States saw New Zealand ease into their work and largely reach the goals set by Tietjens, who was disappointed with his side's performance against Malaysia.

"It was definitely a big improvement over our effort against Malaysia when we made too many mistakes and fundamental errors.

"Today we certainly played some good rugby and made use of the full width of the field."

Craig de Goldi and Roy Kinikinilau led the way with three tries apiece as New Zealand earned a 31-0 halftime lead on the way to crossing for nine tries in all.

Karl TeNana, Nathaniel Walker and Justin Wilson accounted for the other tries while Amasio Valence slotted five conversions and Walker one.

New Zealand 57 (Craig de Goldi 3, Roy Kinikinilau 3, Justin Wilson, Karl TeNana, Nathaniel Walker tries; Amasio Valence 5 con, Walker con)

United States 7

Halftime: 31-0

Defending champions England unleashed secret weapon Ugo Monye to devastating effect against Chinese Taipei in their pool B match, with the Harlequins winger scoring four tries in a 43-5 win.

A Fiji side missing sevens legend Waisale Serevi were jolted by Japan in the opening seconds of their pool C match when Kenji Shomen sprinted in to give the underdogs an early lead.

But the Fijians quickly hit their stride and buried Japan in a blizzard of tries with Sireli Bobo scoring a hat-trick in a 59-7 victory.

In other games today, Australia had too much pace in a 26-7 win over Hong Kong in pool D while Wales cruised past the Netherlands 40-12 in pool F.

Pool A

Namibia 35 Malaysia 10

New Zealand 57 USA 7


Pool B

Tonga 50 Singapore 0

England 43 Chinese Taipei 5


Pool C

Canada 21 Russia 19

Fiji 59 Japan 7


Pool D

Kenya 31 China 7

Australia 26 Hong Kong 7


Pool E

Scotland 38 Sri Lanka 0

South Africa 47 South Korea 7


Pool F

Wales 40 Netherlands 12

Samoa 28 Cook Islands 12